Monoclonal Antibody Migraine Drugs May Lower Glaucoma Risk

CGRP inhibitor drugs for migraine linked to 25% lower glaucoma risk, suggesting a potential new protective eye health benefit.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor drugs used for migraine prevention may be linked to a lower risk of glaucoma, according to a report published May 6, 2026, in American Academy of Neurology journal Neurology (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Glaucoma Risk Associated With Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Inhibitor Use in Migraine

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The analysis compared 36,822 people taking CGRP inhibitor drugs for migraine prevention with an equal number of people using other migraine prevention medications.

The findings do not prove that calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitor drugs directly reduce glaucoma risk but suggest an association between the treatments and lower glaucoma occurrence.

Eye Disease Risk in People With Migraine

“Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness, and evidence has linked migraine with an increased risk of glaucoma, with both conditions affecting the capacity of the blood vessels in the brain to alter blood flow in response to stimuli,” said Chien-Hsiang Weng, Doctor of Medicine, Master of Public Health, of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island.

He explained that because CGRP inhibitors help regulate blood vessel contraction and inflammation in the nervous system, scientists have hoped these medications could also support eye health in people vulnerable to glaucoma.

Comparison of Migraine Prevention Medications

For the analysis, investigators reviewed a health care database involving people who were newly prescribed migraine prevention medications and had at least one refill. Participants were monitored for as long as three years to identify who later developed glaucoma.

• The CGRP inhibitor group included erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, eptinezumab, atogepant, and rimegepant.
• The non-CGRP inhibitor group included valproate, topiramate, flunarizine, candesartan, lisinopril, metoprolol, propranolol, nadolol, amitriptyline, and venlafaxine.

Lower Glaucoma Rates With Monoclonal Antibodies

During the follow-up period, glaucoma developed in 153 people, or 0.42%, in the CGRP inhibitor group. In comparison, 223 people, or 0.61%, in the non-CGRP inhibitor group developed glaucoma.

• After accounting for factors that may influence glaucoma risk, including age, migraine frequency, and a history of high blood pressure, investigators found that people taking CGRP inhibitors had a 25% lower likelihood of developing glaucoma than those using other migraine prevention medications.
• Additional analysis showed that the lower glaucoma risk was observed only with monoclonal antibody calcitonin gene-related peptide inhibitors. These included erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and eptinezumab.
• The reduced glaucoma risk was not observed with calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists, also known as gepants, including atogepant and rimegepant.

Weng noted that additional work is necessary to confirm the findings and improve understanding of both migraine and glaucoma.

A limitation of the analysis was that investigators could not evaluate family history of glaucoma or other glaucoma risk factors that may have affected the results.

In conclusion, CGRP inhibitors used for migraine prevention were associated with a lower risk of glaucoma, especially monoclonal antibody treatments, highlighting a possible connection between migraine therapy and eye health.

Reference:

1. Glaucoma Risk Associated With Calcitonin Gene–Related Peptide Inhibitor Use in Migraine – (https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000218035)

Source-Medindia